7 Movies and TV Shows That Claim to Be Empowering But Actually Aren't

Empowerment and feminism have become buzzwords in media lately. Many movies and TV shows want to capitalize on these concepts, even if their portrayals are shallow or damaging. As viewers, it's important we think critically about the media we consume.

Just because something markets itself as "empowering" doesn't mean it lives up to that promise. Here are 7 movies and TV shows that claim to empower women but fail to do so:

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1. Sex and the City

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This iconic HBO series was revolutionary when it first premiered in 1998. It was rare at the time to see a show explore women's sex lives so openly. However, Sex and the City hasn't aged well. The characters are white, upper class women who shame each other for not adhering to traditional gender roles. The show is also transphobic, dismissing trans people as jokes or oddities.

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2. Charlie's Angels

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The original 1970s TV show and 2000s reboot movies try to sell the idea that you can be beautiful, sexy, and kick butt all at the same time. But the Angels are still objectified for the male gaze. They fight crime in impractical outfits and high heels simply for the visual pleasure.

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3. Blonde

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This 2022 biopic of Marilyn Monroe seemed empowering on the surface with its female lead. But the film takes a misogynistic viewpoint of Monroe's life, showing her as a victim and sex object. The director clearly didn't respect the real Monroe as a person.

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4. Sucker Punch

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Sucker Punch (2011) combines action, fantasy, and scantily-clad women. But the oversexualization overshadows any message of empowerment. Watching the film feels exploitative due to the gratuitous shots of the actresses' bodies.

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5. Pretty Woman

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Julia Roberts became a star with this 1990 rom-com about a prostitute who finds love. But the fairy tale romance glosses over the realities of sex work. It also sends the message that women need a man to rescue them from poverty.

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6. She-Hulk

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The recent Disney+ series introduces Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner's lawyer cousin who gains Hulk powers. But critics argued She-Hulk focused too much on twerking and dating, playing into stereotypes. She rarely got to demonstrate her physical strength.

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7. Bridgerton

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Though a woman (Daphne) is at the center of this Netflix hit, many criticized how Bridgerton handles consent and female pleasure. Daphne's first sexual encounter veers toward rape as she takes away her husband's choice in order to get pregnant.

What do you think? Have you noticed other movies and shows that claim woman empowerment but miss the mark?

Source: Reddit